Australia’s leading online youth mental health service ReachOut Australia has welcomed the Coalition’s announcement at the weekend of investment in mental health, particularly the $30 million commitment to trial new digital technologies.
ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said that the digital delivery of mental health services, particularly for young people who are most comfortable with using technology, is critical to meeting growing demand for services.
“The fact is the majority of young people who experience a mental health difficulty don’t get the help they need. In a system struggling to cope with existing demand, we need to be innovative in the way that we deliver mental health services,” Mr Nicholas said.
“With more than 70% of young Australians using the internet more than once each day, e-mental health services have the scalability and capacity to help quickly address the current and future needs of young people who require support, no matter where they are in Australia.
“And we know it works – the evidence that we and other mental health providers have gathered clearly shows that online tools that are based on evidence – whether delivered via a mobile phone or desktop computer – are effective at improving young people's mental health.
“Online services that focus on prevention and early intervention, such as ReachOut.com, increase a young person’s self-help capacity and deliver low-cost, evidence-based tools that can be easily accessed.
“We look forward to bringing our experience and expertise in digital technology delivery to partnerships with government and communities to rapidly build robust digital solutions for early intervention, reducing suicide and making self-help tools available to build resilience and better mental health outcomes,” Mr Nicholas said.
For interviews and further information please contact:
Leanne Budd, Communications Manager on 0457 505 342 or leanne@reachout.com
ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people, providing practical support to help them get through everything from everyday issues to tough times.
Since 1998, ReachOut has worked alongside young people to deliver online tools that address youth mental health and reduce youth suicide. An extension to ReachOut’s service for young people was launched in 2016 to help parents and carers improve the mental health and wellbeing of the young people within their family environment.
Available anytime and pretty much anywhere, ReachOut.com is accessed by 110,000 Australians each month. That’s more than 1.31 million people each year.
ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said that the digital delivery of mental health services, particularly for young people who are most comfortable with using technology, is critical to meeting growing demand for services.
“The fact is the majority of young people who experience a mental health difficulty don’t get the help they need. In a system struggling to cope with existing demand, we need to be innovative in the way that we deliver mental health services,” Mr Nicholas said.
“With more than 70% of young Australians using the internet more than once each day, e-mental health services have the scalability and capacity to help quickly address the current and future needs of young people who require support, no matter where they are in Australia.
“And we know it works – the evidence that we and other mental health providers have gathered clearly shows that online tools that are based on evidence – whether delivered via a mobile phone or desktop computer – are effective at improving young people's mental health.
“Online services that focus on prevention and early intervention, such as ReachOut.com, increase a young person’s self-help capacity and deliver low-cost, evidence-based tools that can be easily accessed.
“We look forward to bringing our experience and expertise in digital technology delivery to partnerships with government and communities to rapidly build robust digital solutions for early intervention, reducing suicide and making self-help tools available to build resilience and better mental health outcomes,” Mr Nicholas said.
– ENDS –
Media enquiries
For interviews and further information please contact:
Leanne Budd, Communications Manager on 0457 505 342 or leanne@reachout.com
About ReachOut Australia
ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people, providing practical support to help them get through everything from everyday issues to tough times.
Since 1998, ReachOut has worked alongside young people to deliver online tools that address youth mental health and reduce youth suicide. An extension to ReachOut’s service for young people was launched in 2016 to help parents and carers improve the mental health and wellbeing of the young people within their family environment.
Available anytime and pretty much anywhere, ReachOut.com is accessed by 110,000 Australians each month. That’s more than 1.31 million people each year.
